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Hackers working for the US government used sophisticated software developed with Israel to break into the computers of French presidential officials, an explosive report in the Paris-based newsmagazine l’Express charges.

The alleged spying against advisers to former President Nicolas Sarkozy occurred just days before he lost the election to socialist candidate François Hollande in May.

The virus was described as similar to the “Flame” program, which wreaked havoc on computers associated with Iran’s nuclear program, and is believed to have been developed jointly by the United States and Israel.

The article said Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano did not deny the accusation in an interview with the magazine.

But DHS officials said last night there is no truth to the report.

“We categorically deny the allegations by unnamed sources that the US government participated in a cyber attack against the French government,” DHS spokesman Matt Chandler said.